Backpackers buck trend as over all stays decline

The latest Statistics New Zealand accommodation survey shows business continues to decline for Hawke's Bay accommodation providers, except for backpackers.
March guest nights this year, compared to March 2010, fell 19.5 per cent for holiday parks, 9.5 per cent for hotels and 8.6 per cent for motels. For backpackers, guest nights increased 6.2 per cent.
Hastings Rotten Apple Backpackers' owner, Jason Heard, said business was up because finances were down.
"Everyone is just watching their dollar and taking the cheaper option," he said. "The opening up of two new backpackers in Hawke's Bay would have helped the numbers as well."
There was an overall 9.2 per cent fall in Hawke's Bay guest nights, second only to Canterbury's fall of 30.2 per cent.